Embracing the Unexpected: Moving Forward

When my daughter left for college, everything in our family dynamic shifted. The house felt different—quieter in some ways, emptier in others. I knew this was a milestone we had prepared her for, and I was proud beyond words, but the truth is, it was also a big change for me. The rhythm of daily life was no longer the same, and the way I worried about her changed too. It wasn’t about making sure she got home safe at night or keeping track of her schedule—it was the deeper, quieter worry of knowing she was out in the world learning how to stand on her own.

That kind of change can hold you in place if you let it. For a while, I caught myself clinging to what had been, replaying memories and trying to adjust to the new normal. But what helped me move forward was realizing that this shift wasn’t an ending—it was an evolution. She was growing, and so was I. I could either stay stuck in the ache of what used to be or choose to embrace the new season of life opening up for both of us.

How I Kept Moving Forward

• I reframed the change. Instead of seeing it as a loss, I started to view it as an expansion—of her world, and of mine.

• I gave myself permission to feel. Allowing space for the sadness and the pride made it easier to move forward without pushing my emotions aside.

• I found new rhythms. I leaned more into my art and projects, letting them become both a grounding force and a way to process the transition.

Change—whether big or small—always asks something of us. For me, it taught me that moving forward doesn’t mean letting go of what was, but learning how to carry it with you into what comes next.